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Prepositions before nouns

Which prepositions go with “shot”?

Shot combines with different prepositions depending on whether you mean direction, location, weapon, timing, or type of image.

Quick answer

Common combinations with shot

Use shot in for location, shot with for a weapon or camera, and shot to for direction or target. After a shot refers to time. Of shot is rare and usually part of a larger phrase, not a normal pattern with shot itself.

He was shot in the leg.
The scene was shot with a handheld camera.
She fired a shot to the far corner.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
shot in + body part/place

Showing location

Use in to say where someone or something was hit or filmed.

The victim was shot in the shoulder.
The movie was shot in New Zealand.
2
shot with + weapon/camera

Showing the instrument used

Use with for the weapon, ammunition, or equipment.

The deer was shot with a rifle.
The documentary was shot with digital cameras.
3
shot to + target/direction

Showing aim or movement

Use to when the shot moves toward a target or area.

He sent a shot to the top corner.
The photographer uploaded the shot to the website.
4
after a shot

Talking about time

After can introduce an event that follows a shot or injection.

She felt dizzy after a shot at the clinic.
The crowd went silent after the shot was fired.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
shot in
He was shot in the arm.
correct for location on the body or place
shot with
The scene was shot with a drone.
correct for equipment or weapon
shot to
She hit a shot to the near post.
correct for direction or target
after shot
After the shot, everyone ran.
correct when after introduces time
of shot
The sound of gunshots echoed outside.
of is not a usual partner directly with shot; use it only inside a larger noun phrase

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using of directly after shot

Shot does not normally take of as its main preposition.

✕ He was shot of the arm. ✓ He was shot in the arm.

Confusing in and with

In shows location; with shows the weapon or tool.

✕ She was shot with the leg. ✓ She was shot in the leg.

Using after for location

After refers to time, not place on the body.

✕ He was shot after the chest. ✓ He was shot in the chest.

Using to for filming equipment

Use with for the camera or equipment.

✕ The film was shot to a smartphone. ✓ The film was shot with a smartphone.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The actor was shot ___ Canada.
2. The hunter was shot ___ a pistol.
3. Everyone ducked after the ___ was fired.

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Frequently asked questions

Do we say “shot in” or “shot on” the arm?

Use shot in the arm, leg, shoulder, and similar body parts.

Can “shot with” refer to cameras?

Yes. A film or photo can be shot with a particular camera or lens.

Is “of shot” a standard expression?

Not usually. Of may appear in larger phrases, but it is not a common direct combination with shot.

of, about, against, to or for racism? of, about, for, in or on friendship? of, about, for, on or to thing? of, about, for, to or with sex? of, about, on, to or for moon? "of access" or "with access"? "of accommodation" or "for accommodation"? "of accuracy" or "for accuracy"? "of action" or "in action"? "of actor", "with actor" or "by actor"? "of address" or "to address"? "of administration" or "in administration"?

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